West Ham's Sam Allardyce says the Hammers recent to trip to Dubai has worked wonders

BREAK HAS DONE US WONDERS: West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says the Hammers' recent trip to Dubai has done wonders for them [GETTY]

The Hammers were struggling until their warm weather training trip was booked.

But since then they have banked ten points from four games, including a 0-0 draw at league leaders Chelsea and three successive 2-0 wins over Swansea, Aston Villa and Norwich.

Allardyce took the opportunity of the FA Cup weekend – West Ham were knocked out by Nottingham Forest 5-0 in the third round – to take his players away.

He said: “Once the lads knew the trip was booked four or five weeks ago, it was something for them to look forward to, to strive for and to know that they are going to do what I’ve done every year for the last 14 years.

UP! Kevin Nolan scores in the Hammers win against Swansea [GETTY]

“They came back refreshed and it has been the pivotal moment in our season, the turning point”

Sam Allardyce

“The critical need for every player we have is for them to get a bit of sun on their back, do a little bit of light training and ease the pressure on the mind, soul and body. They came back refreshed and it has been the pivotal moment in our season, the turning point.”

West Ham’s barren spell in the league over Christmas and the new year coincided with an injury nightmare for Allardyce, who had no option but to blood some of his inexperienced youngsters to make up the numbers.

Club record-signing Andy Carroll is now fit – although currently sidelined through suspension.

And, with four January loan arrivals in Roger Johnson, Pablo Armero, Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello, Allardyce is pleased to have more options than at any other stage this season.

He said: “It’s very important to have a strong squad. Having Nocerino, Borriello and Armero here is brilliant.

“Now we’re the team in form, picking up points left, right and centre. It’s pleasing because the games are running out.”